Tooth and Gum Care

It's never too early to start taking care of your baby's future teeth. Here are some simple things you can do to help her avoid cavities:

• Never put your baby to sleep with a bottle or sippy cup.
• Make sure she gets fluoridated water once she is six-months-old, keeping in mind that bottled water usually doesn't have any fluoride.
• Once or twice a day, gently wipe her gums with a wet, clean soft cloth. Start doing this even before her teeth come in.
• While some babies get their first tooth as early as three or four months, remember that the average baby gets teeth between six and eight months, and it is sometimes even later.
• When her teeth begin to erupt, you may use a soft, baby-sized toothbrush for cleaning, or you can continue to clean her teeth with a cloth until she gets a few more.
• Gently brush her first teeth with a smear of fluoridated toothpaste. Switch to a pea-sized amount of fluoridated toothpaste once she is two-years old.

And perhaps most importantly, see a pediatric dentist once your baby gets her first tooth or by her first birthday.

These tips were adapted from the U.S. Department of Education.

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